Helene Johnson

Born on July 7, 1907 in Boston, Massachusetts, Helene Johnson was a young influence in the Harlem Renaissance. She was the only child of Ella and George William Johnson, who separated shortly after her

Poem

by Helene Johnson (1907–95)

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16

 Little brown boy, 
 Slim, dark, big-eyed, 
 Crooning love songs to your banjo 
 Down at the Lafayette— 
 Gee, boy, I love the way you hold your head, 
 High sort of and a bit to one side, 
 Like a prince, a jazz prince. And I love 
 Your eyes flashing, and your hands, 
 And your patent-leathered feet, 

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Poets Book of Days

February 7

Sir Thomas More born, 1478

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Poetry Trivia

Question:

What twentieth century Spanish poet's works were banned in his country for 40 years after his assassination at the hands of a nationalist militia?

Answer

Federico García Lorca. After being shot by Franco's forces in Granada (for either his homosexuality or his liberal politics, or both) and thrown in an unmarked grave, García Lorca's works were largely banned in Spain until Franco's death.

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